How I signed a three thousand books





And so I have just finished signing a 3000 copies of 'The Secret Wish list'. My hands are still numb. My neck, shoulders , back, eyes, head--everything hurts. I have indentation marks on my fingers. I have never signed these many books before. It took me more than 35 hours. each carton had to be opened, shrink wrap removed,  the book opened to the right page and I had to sign. 
 
 Satish kept pushing me and motivating me and after a while I couldn't tell the difference anymore.  He would open each book and hold it to the right place and as soon as I signed he would put it in the carton and place it away. Not easy lifting each carton (there were fifty of them). I wanted him to be irritated as well, so I would feel better about showing my annoyance, but he was the personification of calm and helpful. That did not even allow me the liberty of a good grumble.

 So I shut up and continued the business of signing.

I told him that many couples bond over going to pubs, discos, movies and eating out but we bond over opening cartons and  signing books. I was only half joking.


 
 I was depressed, grumpy, ecstatic, angry, elated, tired, determined, all at the same time and I did not even know, until now that emotions too can have a rainbow.

Lenka kept me company. You can listen to her  here .


 As did my Doberman and my children. My staff helped me. They were so sweet.  Their excitement on seeing so many books was matched only by their enthusiasm in assisting satish to open the cartons. The signing of the books was indeed an all inclusive affair at the Shenoy household.

Yesterday an idea struck me. Out of the three thousand that I signed, I drew a little picture on 3 books. This was what I did:



 If you have pre-ordered a copy and  happen to get this particular one (with the drawing) then mail me, and I will have a cup of coffee with you, when we happen to be in the same town. :) My little way of saying a thank you.

This  morning all the books were all collected and are being shipped to various destinations.
Yours should reach you soon.

Treat it with the same love that I have for it , will you?
And yes, write in and tell me how you liked it.

From my home to yours, The secret wish list is arriving soon.
Cartons and cartons of the secret wishlist.

__________________________________________________________________

ps: There is a lot of such fun-stuff happening on the FB page of the book too. . So please look up the FB page of the book (if you haven't already).
   

If you like my blog, you might enjoy my books :) Grab them here. (You don't need a credit card. You can pay cash on delivery) or if you are an Amazon Fan, you can grab them here
 And you can interact with me on my FB page. I always reply :)

Comments

  1. Congratulation again and again. Hats off for your passion and patience.

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  2. I am waiting for this book; have pre-ordered from flipkart after the announcement :)

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  3. I badly wanted my copy to be among those 3. Can really have a cup of coffee with you :)

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  4. Now crossed finger, whether I will be lucky one in those 3!!

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  5. waiting ... with bated breath waiting for my copy !
    Awww you must be so exhausted .. but it is a nice sort of exhaustion isn't it !

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    1. yes Indeed! waiting for your review!!

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  6. I WISH I GET THAT SPECIAL BOOK..........AND MAM LOTS OF BEST WISHES:)

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  7. I so hope my copy is one of the three. Do we have a book launch in Delhi?

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  8. You really know how to make things different in your own way. Blessed are them too. Best wishes. :)

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  9. 3000 books !!! OMG!! really hats off to u ma'm.. so sweet of you :) really u have lot of patience :) hope i'l be lucky among those 3 ppl :) waiting for the book :) n tnx for the sign ma'm <3 :)

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  10. m eagerly waiting........... hope i got signed copies and picture too.. love ur all books...

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  11. This must be the best post of yours that I've read so far. A rainbow of emotions like you've said. Hats off to the most supportive smiley partner ,Satish. Congrats Preethi and wishing you lots more success.
    *crosses fingers to get the lovely drawing in my book*

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    1. I will anyway draw it for you when we meet!! :) <3
      I wanted Satish to get angry :) He is impossible --that man!! :)

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    2. :D I knew you'd draw one for me. But you're so crazy to even think he'd get angry.. He's more proud of you than you are with your effort.

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  12. Oh this is so so so special Preeti, I just hope I get one of those three :)

    I love the way you like adding personal touch to everything making us readers feel very special. You truly are an inspiration.

    And yes will love it as much as you do and maybe more than the 3 ones before too <3

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  13. Congratulations Preeti. Unlike most of the people here, I haven't read any of your books yet. I was surprisingly guided to your website and thereafter to your blog, from another website - www.readgujarati.com, of which I am a regular reader. But just the fact that you have four published books seems awesome to me.

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    1. Thank you! I had given a talk in Ahemdabad at the Gujarat book fair. maybe that is why the site picked up my name. What did they say about me? I am curious! And i was delighted when people there asked me questions in Gujarati!

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  14. thanQ soo much mam, we expect an autograph for our happiness, but its became a burden to u.
    still u worked hard for our hapiness. great.....
    anyway, eagerly waiting for secret wish list with ur autograph.........

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    1. Not a burden! Apologies if this post conveyed that impression.

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  15. cant wait to read it. i wish you all the best ma'am
    may this book be your highest selling novel ever!!!!!!1

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  16. can't wait to read your new novel mam
    and wishing you success for all your efforts

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  17. hardwork will certainly pay !

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  18. Iam eagerly waiting,praying to God to have that special book with your drawing.Wishing you all success for this novel to become national bestseller again like your previous ones.

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    Replies
    1. Good luck and thanks for your wishes!

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  19. How I wish I get one of those 3 special books.. :) :) All the very best for this one too.

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  20. Eagerly waiting for my copy now! Ma'am your hard work and enthusiasm is motivating me to look after the 20 page document i started last year and turn my dreams into reality!
    All the best for your future
    Jasmine

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    1. Good luck with all your dreams Jasmine.

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  21. I loved the first one and got so inspired by it that I shared the book with my entire team at work.....and I can happily say now-life is what u make it!

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    1. Very glad to hear that Chandni. Wishing you the best!

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  22. I loved the first one and got so inspired by it that I shared the book with my entire team at work.....and I can happily say now-life is what u make it!

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  23. Awesome is the word....U R AWESOME:-))!!!!
    Loved the pictures, best wishes for the book release!!!!

    Nancy

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  24. Loved the pictures and as Nancy mentioned --You are just AWESOME and WONDERFUL :)

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    1. You are too kind! Thanks! :)

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    2. Yep, totally agree Horizon....I forgot to add that...WONDERFUL & let's not forget her most important quality....an INSPIRATION:-)).

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    3. you both are making me blush!! I am just doing something that comes naturally to me :) Thank you both of you!! *hides in blanket* :)

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  25. I'm sure the amount of hard work you've put in for the book will definitely pay off Preeti, by making it to the national best-sellers once again! :) Good luck!

    And here's wishing myself luck, I so hope to be the one receiving the special book! :)

    Love,
    Dhriti.

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  26. Anonymous11:15 AM

    Preeti, you are an inspiration. I love your books, unfortunately could not read the 3rd one yet but I'm definitely grabbing them when I get to India next year.

    Anyway, lots of good wishes to you. I'm sure the new one is going to be awesome as others.

    Can I still participate in the Wishlist Wednesday ? :-)

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  27. Wow thats a great effort Preeti. You really treasure your fans and hats off to Satish :) I so wish my copy is one with the drawing :) Keeping my fingers crossed and waiting.

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  28. Anonymous11:25 AM

    Congratulations :) and I loved the last photo very much... Proud writer :)

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  29. 3000 pre-ordered!!! So all waiting for your third one.Good wishes Preeti.

    Hope this one will also be a grand success. My husband has ordered one for me too, so I too have a chance of getting the special book..

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  30. Labour never goes in vain , just wanna say Good luck! preeti

    I hope to be the one receiving the special book with that drawing ! :)



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  31. Diligence will bring its result.Good luck.

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  32. thats a nice post! the whole shenoy family pitching in.. lovely.. waiitng to read the book!!!
    All the very best.. May it also top the bestsellers list!

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  33. I Second time pre-odered the book "The Secret Wish List", I hope i get signed from you, thats whata cup of coffee with you for me....If luck is there i will definately have coffee with you ...MAM. Thanks for your books "Life is what you make it", "Tea for two and a piece of cake" and "34 Bubblegums and Candies" all are fine, i ordered one for my friend and one for me..

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  34. ma'm , please do have a book launch in Hyderabad !!!

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  35. When “The Secret Wish List” would be available in kindle store?

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  36. mam I didn't receive the book till now mam.. I pre-ordered on the 1st day of ordering itself mam.. when will I get mam ?

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  37. Getting a signed copy of the book itself is great ... being one of the three would be a bonus!
    I have not yet received my copy of the book, will perhaps get it in a day or two.

    GBU
    Arti

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  38. ma'm
    got the book in the afternoon , preordered courtesy flipkart and i was done by 7 and the book is fantastic. i am 21 , s i still cant relate to a few things in the book but overall wow . it was a very good read !!!!
    i didn't get the copy with the drawings on them , was the first thing i checked !! the picture of yours looks awesome too !
    ps: when is your next book coming out ?? a girl can have hopes now !! :P

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  39. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  40. Received my signed copy yesterday, and couldn't stop myself from starting with "The Secret Wishlist".
    Thank you :)
    Besides, how do you come up with such interesting book titles (tea for two and a piece of cake, the secret wishlist...)

    Regards

    http://myexperimentswidcratfs.blogspot.in

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  41. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Do post a review on flipkart? :)

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    2. yes i did posted a review,pl come to Delhi i would at least get my copy signed from you.:)

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  42. Been your fan ever since read 34 candies..since then pre order your book,but never was lucky to get a signed copy from you :(,read the wish list till 2 am...amazing,rocking & a master piece...many many congratulations to you...now eagerly awaiting the next Preeti Shenoy Bestseller...

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  43. Thank you so very much!! :-*

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  44. oh wow dats gr8.... n i was so happy to recieve the book!!! n da too a personally signed COPY!!! dats like WOW.........though i missed the chance of having a cup of coffee..... :P bt never mind!!! :) :)
    have started reading the boook........ all d best with ur future prospects...and keeep writing....:) loads of love!!!!

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  45. Got my signed copy today :)

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  46. i pre-ordered the book though flipkart. i never got signed copy or pictured copy. but since i wish to have coffee with u, would u mind if i just lie about getting pictured copy?? :) by the way, the novel is great. i loved it :)

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  47. Hats off to you Preeti. I am really overwhelmed after going through your article and followed by the comments. you truly deserve love ,applause and gratitude. I just come across your blog and webpage a month back. And i cant stop reading them on and on. They are real life stories but your magic touch make them more real, close to heart and something which inspire us to think in a different way. I haven't gone through your latest release " The secret Wish List ", but will surely do... Best Wishes .

    - Anindya

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